Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Not My Daughter

A few years back, my state was all abuzz with the news that there was a number of pregnant girls at ONE high school and rumors of a pact swirled.  As a mother of four girls, this was a horrifying thought, but one I quickly pushed from my mind with a quick- not my daughter(s).  You see, I miscarried my first pregnancy on my 20th birthday.  And delivered my oldest just 9 weeks before my 21st. And though I have always been quick to tell my girls I wouldn't change having them for anything in the world, that if I could grown up, been more educated, traveled more, got married, bought a house- been stable- before  having them, I would totally go back and do it all again... that way.  I emphasis that everything has it's time in life and my girls have been well educated about all of their options and my feelings about them being intimate.  That's why I had to buy this book...





The very day it came out.



I finished reading it two days ago and wow.   I don't know where to start.  It was horrifying and wonderful all in one. And the book contained more relationships than you could hope for... that of the mothers and teenage girls.  The teenage girls' friendship, the mothers' friendship, the mothers' and fathers' relationships- both generations, and the mothers' relationships with their parents.  And of course, everyone's place in the community and how the communities- school, business, town - react to and deal with the news.  This story was so well told, that I felt myself alternately wanting to shake and hug the teenage girls. And don't even get me started on the adults in the book.  As if all of that doesn't make the story rich enough, there is a whole other layer to the book- knitting.  I don't even knit and instead of finding myself aggravated by the knitting and hand dyed wool references and storyline, I was interested and found it added even more to an already awesome (alarming, astonishing, awe-inspiring, awful, beautiful, daunting, dreadful, frantic, frightening, horrible, horrifying, imposing, mind-blowing, moving, overwhelming, shocking, stunning, stupefying, terrible, terrifying, wonderful) human story. 


Have you read it?


11 comments:

Conservative Knit Mom said...

Wow I saw this book and almost bought! Now I know for sure I will!

gina said...

So worth it! I got mine for 20% off at Barnes&Noble, I could have gotten another 10% off but I let my membership lapse when I was getting my homeschooling discount. But then I picked up a, okay TWO, red velvet cupcakes and went home for a little Mommy time!

Shell said...

Haven't read it yet, but I love Barbara Delinsky and definitely will read this one!

gina said...

Me too. I had just finished While My Sister Sleeps last month. But I like this one better personally, maybe it's more relatable to me.

Anonymous said...

I hadn't heard of that book, but it sounds really good.
Right now I'm reading to my daughter, "Preparing your daughter for every woman's battle", and to my son: "Preparing your son for every man's battle." They both deal with teaching your children about s*x, love and marriage, from a Biblical perspective. It's made me feel a little uncomfortable during some chapters, but I'm glad we're having these discussions. Since my kids don't go to school, they don't get exposed to some topics, and I felt that it was better that they hear about these things from me, rather than when they get to college. Chances are they would hear about these things prior to college, maybe from someone at church, but so far they haven't heard anything from anyone about these topics (either that or they're not saying). Either way, I'm glad we can talk about these things, because I couldn't talk with my mom, and ended up pregnant at 19 out of wedlock, but had a m/c right before I turned 20.
I think I'll order that book you suggested this week to read it myself. Thanks for the recommendation, Gina.

Sarah said...

No...I saw it at the book store the other night and was tempted...I think it's next on my list...love books that make you THINK.

edie said...

My 2010 list is gonna be full soon Ms. Gina but I'll add it to my Amazon wish list. Thanks for the recommendation!
hugs,
edie

Susan said...

I think that's a book I need to read. Going to put it on the list. Thanks for the rec.

Dawn said...

I haven't read it yet, but it sounds VERY interesting...as a mom with 2 boys I preach to them about waiting to - it runs both ways, you know!
Thanks for stopping by my blog!

Jules said...

Will definitely check it out - thanks for the great review!

purejoy said...

haven't read it, but i sure do want to now!! i'll add it to my astonishingly long list of books to read.

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.